A-levels: Physics and Chemistry

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they will take to address the 30 per cent fall over the past 10 years in A-level students studying physics; and
	What steps they will take to address the 19 per cent fall over the past 10 years in A-level students studying chemistry.

Lord Adonis: The Government's Ten Year Science and Innovation Investment Framework sets out their commitment to increasing the number of young people taking science at advanced level and progressing to study science at university. A new programme of study for science at key stage 4 will be introduced in schools in September 2006. It has a core which focuses on scientific literacy and provides options for further study. These measures are intended to raise attainment at 16 and increase the number of students going on to study science post-16. We will keep under review their success in doing so and, if necessary, take further steps to boost participation and attainment in science post-16.
	The Department for Education and Skills, working in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Institute of Physics, will commission research into why girls do not do physics and what can be done in the classroom to change this and the role that science learning centres will play.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: Common Law

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a claimant for compensation under the Armed Forces compensation scheme may also bring a claim for damages at common law; and, if so how the Government will make this clear to the claimants under the scheme.

Lord Drayson: The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a no-fault scheme providing compensation for injury, illness and death caused by service in the Armed Forces. A booklet explaining the scheme provisions has been distributed to all serving personnel. The introduction to this booklet makes clear that, "the AFCS does not seek to affect your right to make a civil claim if you think that the injury, illness or death was caused by the department's negligence; if there has been negligence, a civil claim may lead to a higher award".

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Genocide Convention

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent representations they have made to the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina regarding the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia v Yugoslavia); and
	What recent discussions they have had with the European Union and NATO counterparts regarding the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia v Yugoslavia); and
	Whether they support the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina in their application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia-Herzegovina v Yugoslavia).

Lord Triesman: As provided for in Article 9 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, it is open to contracting parties to submit cases relating to the responsibility of a state for genocide to the International Court of Justice. It will be for the court to make a judgment on the case.
	We look to all countries with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia indictees on their territory, notably Karadzic and Mladic, indicted for genocide at Srebrenica, together with Gotovina, indicted for Operation Storm, to transfer them without delay to The Hague Tribunal.
	We have made no representations regarding the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. We have had informal discussions with Bosnian, Croatian and Serbia and Montenegro representatives, as well as certain NATO allies and EU partners, about the joint declaration issued by the Presidents of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Belgrade on 27 June.

Cabinet Office: External Consultants

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent by the Cabinet Office on external media consultants in each of the past eight years.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. Expenditure on external media consultants is not separately identifiable from overall expenditure on consultants.

Cabinet Office: External Consultants

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much was spent by the Cabinet Office on external management consultants in each of the past eight years.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs. Expenditure on external management consultants is not separately identifiable from overall expenditure on consultants.

Common Agricultural Policy: Budget Deployment

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give specific provisional examples of where the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget appropriations could be deployed in other areas of European Union expenditure, if a CAP reduction is agreed by the European Council.

Lord Triesman: As my right honourable and noble friend the Leader of the House (Baroness Amos, of Brondesbury) told the House on 20 June (Official Report, cols. 1442–1444), we need an EU budget fit for purpose for the 21st century. The exact shape of this budget should be decided only after a fundamental review of EU expenditure. We look forward to taking this debate forward during our presidency.

EU Constitutional Treaty: Referendums

Lord Windlesham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which of the 25 member states of the European Union have held referendums to date on the draft European Constitutional Treaty; and with what outcomes.

Lord Triesman: Spain endorsed the treaty through a referendum on 25 February 2005 and Luxembourg endorsed the treaty through a referendum on 10 July 2005. France rejected the treaty through a referendum on 29 May 2005. The Netherlands also rejected the treaty through a referendum on 1 June 2005.

European Parliament: Salaries and Expenses

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the reform of salaries and expenses in the European Parliament will not come into effect until 2009; and whether they intend to seek an earlier date for the reforms to come into effect.

Lord Triesman: The reform of MEPs' salaries and expenses will come into effect in 2009 because that is when the next European elections will take place and the new Assembly will start work. The Government have signed up to this important package of reforms on this basis and therefore have no plans to reopen that agreement by seeking an earlier date for them to come into effect.

Healthcare Trainers

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultation was undertaken with (a) healthcare professionals, (b) commercial organisations, and (c) patient organisations about the provision of healthcare trainers prior to taking forward the development of job descriptions for such trainers; and what specific training will be given to them to enable them to develop necessary skills for dealing with complex health issues and their underlying psychological factors.

Lord Warner: A wide range of organisations including those representing healthcare professionals, commercial organisations and patient organisations participated in the consultation on the White Paper Choosing Health which announced the policy to introduce health trainers. The approach to taking forward job descriptions for health trainers and related matters is still under consideration.

Israel: Settlements

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have not repeated the statement, in paragraph 78 on page 26 of Command Paper 6611 to the government of Israel, not to resume expansion of existing settlements and the creation of new settlements in the West Bank pending the substantive launch of road map negotiations.

Lord Triesman: The specified paragraph of Command Paper 6611 (paragraph 98, not 78) focuses on actions and opportunities for the EU specific to the period July to December 2005 and by no means covers all UK and EU activity relating to the Middle East peace process.
	We have consistently made clear to the Israeli Government our opposition to continued settlement activity. We have also made clear that, while we support disengagement as an important first step in the removal of settlements from occupied territory, this does not alter the need for the Israeli Government to meet its commitments, under phase 1 of the road map, on freezing all settlement expansion and dismantling outposts. We will continue, as EU presidency, to call on Israel to meet these commitments.

Lord Birt

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What potential or perceived areas of conflict were communicated to the Prime Minister's principal private secretary by the Lord Birt, in response to the letter of 5 October 2001 published by the Cabinet Office setting out the terms of the Lord Birt's contract as the Prime Minister's strategy adviser.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Lord Birt's interests are as set out in the register of Peers' interests.

Lord Birt

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What confidential government papers has the Lord Birt had access to, as indicated in the letter of 5 October 2001 published by the Cabinet Office, setting out the terms of the Lord Birt's contract as the Prime Minister's strategy adviser.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Lord Birt's letter of appointment sets out that he is bound by the Official Secrets Act. A copy of the letter is available in the Library.

Lord Birt

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What tenders for work relating to the work of the Cabinet Office and Number 10 Downing Street the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, the Lord Birt, has been involved in.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: None.

Lord Birt

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the letter of 1 October 2004 published by the Cabinet Office relating to the extension of the Lord Birt's contract as the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, whether the Prime Minister has any current plans to renew the appointment of the Lord Birt after 4 October 2005; and, if not, when they will terminate his contract.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The length of Lord Birt's appointment as the Prime Minister's strategy adviser is a matter for the Prime Minister and Lord Birt.

Lord Birt

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What subsequent communication or information the Prime Minister's principal private secretary received from the Lord Birt, in response to the letter of 5 October 2001 published by the Cabinet Office setting out the terms of the Lord Birt's contract as the Prime Minister's strategy adviser.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Lord Birt replied on 17 October 2001. A copy of his reply is available in the Library.

McKinsey and Co.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom-based operation of McKinsey and Company Incorporated is currently carrying out work for any executive non-department public body or advisory non-department public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office; and, if so (a) how many projects the firm has carried out for each of those bodies in the past five years; (b) for each project, how long such work lasted and how many McKinsey employees were involved; (c) what was the nature of the contracts with each of the bodies; and (d) what was the total value of payments made by each such body to the company in each of the past five years.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: No work has been carried out by McKinsey and Company Incorporated for any public body sponsored by the Cabinet Office within the past five years.

NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what date and in respect of what period the United Kingdom most recently responded to the NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire; and when they expect to do so next.

Lord Drayson: The UK returned its defence planning questionnaire (DPQ) to NATO on 17 September 2004. The most recent UK response was delayed slightly, with agreement from NATO, to enable us to capture structural changes in the UK Armed Forces. The 2004 DPQ covered the period 2000–10. The next full defence planning questionnaire is expected to be due for completion in 2008, with an update being undertaken in 2006.

NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When members of NATO, other than the United Kingdom, have responded to the NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire.

Lord Drayson: The deadline for completion of the last defence planning questionnaire round was 31 July 2004. Although the responses of a number of nations were delayed for varying reasons, all were made in time to allow NATO to undertake the necessary activities associated with the review process.

NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to ensure that information supplied to NATO in response to the NATO Defence Planning Questionnaire by NATO member states is similarly provided to the European Defence Agency by these states who are also members of the European Union.

Lord Drayson: In the interests of transparency and coherence, the UK sent a copy of its 2004 defence planning questionnaire response to the European Union Military Staffs (EUMS), who are currently leading on this work. While the UK encourages this practice from other member states, it is ultimately for each state to decide if it wishes to send a copy of its defence planning questionnaire to the EUMS.

Neonatal Units

Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many neonatal units were closed to admissions during 2003 and 2004; and in each case, for how long the unit was closed.

Lord Warner: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Northern Ireland Parades Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any forms, files or information were disclosed without authority from the Northern Ireland Parades Commission during 2002; if so, when such disclosures occurred; what was disclosed; and how the disclosures were discovered.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 6 July 2005, Official Report, col. WA 102.

Northern Ireland: Commissioner for Children and Young People

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Rooker on 22 June (WA 182–183), whether the actions of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People in conjunction with the Police Service for Northern Ireland have led to any prosecutions; and, if so, whether they will specify the prosecutions.

Lord Rooker: The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms.
	Letter from Mr Nigel Williams to Lord Laird.
	The partnership work between the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and the Police Service Northern Ireland in relation to young people at risk of sexual exploitation is ongoing, but the responsibility for initiating any prosecution lies with the Police.
	The work done by NICCY with them and other agencies is about raising awareness and highlighting the need for further training, especially on Risk of Sexual Harm Orders. We anticipate that this will take some time before it would affect the prosecution rate. No specific case has yet been drawn to NICCY's attention that could be prosecuted, nor are we aware of any applications for a risk of sexual harm order.

Northern Ireland: Cost of Criminal Convictions

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the per capita cost of a criminal conviction in Northern Ireland in terms of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's budget set against the total number of successful convictions arising from a police recommendation to prosecute, over the period April 2001 to March 2005.

Lord Rooker: The per capita cost of a criminal conviction in Northern Ireland in terms of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's budget is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year PSNI budget £ 1 Total number of convictions 2 Per capita cost £ 
			 2001–02 641,760,000 23,794 26,972 
			 2002–03 655,265,000 24,596 26,641 
			 2003–04 669,770,000 N/A – 
			 2004–05 696,877,000 N/A – 
		
	
	Conviction data beyond 2002–03 are not yet available.
	NB
	1 Main police grant cash revenue and capital, excluding non-cash items, pensions, Patten severance and non-severance funding.
	2 Figures are based on a principal offence rule and include all criminal convictions (coverage excludes convictions stemming from departmental prosecutions, public bodies and private individuals).

Northern Ireland: Grammar Schools

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the light of the London School of Economics study comparing life chances for British children compared with children in eight other developed countries, they will alter their policy on grammar schools in Northern Ireland; and
	Whether they will invite the academic team from the London School of Economics responsible for the study comparing life chances for British children compared to those of children in eight other developed countries to assess the effect the Government's proposed policy on grammar schools in Northern Ireland will have on social mobility and sectarian conflict and division.

Lord Rooker: The implementation of the new post-primary arrangements will continue as planned. Under the new arrangements all schools, including grammar schools, can exist. Grammar schools can maintain an academic ethos by providing an academic curricular emphasis for their pupils as part of the entitlement framework provision.
	The London School of Economics (LSE) research on intergenerational mobility in Europe and North America shows that opportunities for poor children have declined relative to those better off when comparing those born in 1970 to 1958. The research indicates that intergenerational mobility in Britain is substantially less than the Nordic countries, all four of which operate non-selective education systems. The Government have no plans to invite the academic team from the London School of Economics to conduct similar research in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Northern Bank Robbery

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much of the £26 million from the Northern Bank robbery has been recovered; how many criminals involved have been arrested and charged; and for what value of the stolen money the serial numbers have been positively established.

Lord Rooker: The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to undertake a major investigation into the kidnap, hostage taking and bank robbery. Every effort is being made to recover all of the stolen notes and to bring the perpetrators to justice. While enquiries are ongoing it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further on specific operational aspects.
	However, it should be acknowledged that the Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work closely with their colleagues in An Garda Siochána in respect of the robbery, the laundering of the proceeds and the recovery of moneys in Cork and Dublin. These are extensive and complex investigations that have required a considerable commitment in terms of time and resources. Serial numbers have been determined for £16.5 million of notes. As before, these details are contained on the PSNI's website.

Northern Ireland: Northern Bank Robbery

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 24 February 2005 (WA 221–222), how much of the £26 million from the Northern Bank robbery is believed to have been successfully laundered by criminals.

Lord Rooker: The Police Service of Northern Ireland is undertaking a major investigation into the kidnap, hostage taking and bank robbery and every effort is being made to recover all of the stolen notes. While enquiries are continuing it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further.

Northern Ireland: Police Ombudsman

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How "accountability" within the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is ensured; and how many appeals against the decision of the ombudsman have been (a) lodged, and (b) upheld by either the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or through judicial review.

Lord Rooker: The police ombudsman's office is independent and the police ombudsman's decision on the handling of investigations and their outcome is a matter for that office. There is no mechanism for appealing decisions of the police ombudsman to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The police ombudsman advises that a total of 25 applications for judicial reviews have been made against her office but that none have been successful.

Northern Ireland: School Closures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Northern Ireland schools in (a) the state sector; (b) the maintained sector; (c) the integrated sector; and (d) the Irish language sector have been (i) closed, and (ii) identified for closure, in each year since 2000–01; how many of these are rural schools; and whether they will identify the schools concerned.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is as detailed in the tables below. The schools identified for closure or amalgamation were all the subject of published development proposals. There were no proposals for the closure or amalgamation of integrated schools or Irish medium schools in the period prescribed. Of the total of 21 schools identified for closure, two were in Belfast and one in Londonderry. Twenty-eight amalgamations covering 65 schools are also identified below (including three amalgamations in 2000–01 which had been announced prior to that year). Nine of the schools were in Belfast.
	
		2000–01 School Year Controlled Schools
		
			 Board Identified for closure Position 
			 Southern   
			  Churchtown PS to close from 31 August 2001 Decision taken not to close 
			  Toberlane PS to close from 31 August 2001 It was decided not to close the school in August 2001—the school was the subject of a further closure proposal in 2002-03 and closed in August 2003. 
			 Western   
			  Cavanacaw PS to close from 31 August 2001 Closed—31 August 2001 
			  Glenagoorland PS to close from 31 August 2001. Closed—31 August 2001 
		
	
	
		Maintained schools
		
			 Board area Identified for closure Position 
			 Belfast 
			  St Anthony's PS, Willowfield to close from 31 August 2001 Closed—31 August 2001  
		
	
	
		2001–02 School YearControlled Schools
		
			 Board Identified for closure Position 
			 Western   
			  Tullywhisker PS to close from 31 August 2002 Closed—August 2002 
			 North-eastern   
			  Mosside PS to close from 31 August 2002 Closed—31 August 2002 
			 South-eastern   
			  O'Neill Memorial PS to close from 31 August 2002 Closed—31 August 2002 
		
	
	
		2002–03 School YearControlled schools
		
			 Board Identified for Closure Position 
			 Southern   
			  Toberlane PS to close from 31 August 2003 Closed—31 August 2003 
			 North-eastern   
			  Ballypriormore PS to close from 31 August 2003 Closed—December 2003 
			 Western Templemore Secondary School, Londonderry to close from 31 August 2003 Closed—31 August 2003 
		
	
	
		Maintained schools
		
			 Board area Identified for closure Position 
			 Belfast   
			  St Patrick's PS, North Queen Street to close from 31 August 2003 Closed—31 August 2003 
			 Western   
			  St Joseph's PS, Lisconrea to close from 31 August 2003 Closed—31 August 2003 
		
	
	
		2003–04 School YearControlled schools
		
			 Board Identified for closure Position 
			 North-eastern   
			  Brackalislea PS to close from 31 August 2004 Closed—31 August 2004 
			  Ballyrock PS to close from 31 August 2004 Closed—31 August 2004 
		
	
	
		2004–05 School YearControlled schools
		
			 Board Identified for closure Position 
			 Southern   
			  Ardmore PS to close from 31 August 2006 No decision yet 
			  Granville PS to close from 31 August 2006 No decision yet 
			  Loughbrickland PS to close from 31 August 2006. No decision yet 
			  Tullymacarette PS to close from 31 August 2006 Closure approved from 31 August 2006 
			 North-eastern   
			  Antiville PS Larne to close from 31 August 2005. Closure approved from 31 August 2005. 
			  Massereene Community College, Antrim to close from 31 August 2006. No decision yet 
		
	
	
		Maintained schools
		
			 Board Identified for closure Position 
			 Western   
			  St Mary's PS, Laught, Omagh to close from 31 August 2005 Closure approved for 31 August 2005 
			 South-eastern St Mary's Girls/St Mary's Boys PSs, Newcastle Amalgamation September 2001—both sites in operation pending new build 
			 Western St Michael's/St Theresa's PSs Enniskillen Amalgamated September 2001, using existing sites, pending new build 
		
	
	2. Amalgamations of Two or More Schools
	
		2000–01 School YearControlled Schools
		
			 Board Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 Western   
			  Ballygawley/Innismagh PSs Completed Jan 2004 
			  Dungiven High School/Limavady High School Completed June 2002 
			 South-eastern   
			  Maze/St James/St John's PSs Completed August 2003 
		
	
	
		Maintained schools
		
			 Board area Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 Belfast   
			  St John's/St Catherine's/ St Gall's PSs, Belfast Estimated completion date 2005 
			  St Paul's/St Mary's, Belfast (identified 1998) Amalgamated September 2000 
			  Holy Trinity Boys/Holy Trinity Girls, Belfast (identified 1999) Amalgamated September 2000—operating on both sites pending new build 
			 Southern Our Lady's/St Mochua's PSs, Keady Completed September 2003 
			  Middletown Boys/St Louis Girls/Glassdrummond PSs (identified 1998) Completed June 2001 
			  St Joseph's Infants', St Peter's Boys and Sacred Heart Girls PSs, Lurgan Amalgamated September 2001 
		
	
	
		2001–02 School YearControlled Schools
		
			 Board Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 Western   
			  Bready/Sandville PSs Amalgamated on Bready site August 2002 
			  Dervaghroy/Hutton/Sixmilecross PSs Estimated completion 2005 
			 South-eastern Hillsborough/Newport PSs Due for completion September 2005 
			  Clough/Downshire PSs Due for completion August 2005 
		
	
	
		2002–03 School YearControlled schools
		
			 Board Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 South-eastern   
			  Charley Memorial/Lambeg/Hillhall/Drumbo PSs Estimated completion 2006 
			 Southern   
			  Annaghmore/Tullyroan PSs Estimated completion 2006 
			 Western   
			  Earl of Erne/Stragowna PSs Amalgamated in new school on Stragowna site March 2003 
			  Duke of Westminster High School/Enniskillen High School Amalgamated September 2004, separate sites pending new build 
		
	
	
		2003–04 School YearControlled schools
		
			 Board Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 Belfast   
			  Sydenham/Strand PSs Belfast Amalgamating September 2005, using existing sites pending new build. 
			 Western   
			  Burnfoot/Dungiven/Largy PSs Estimated completion 2006 
			  Heatherbank/Cranny Special Amalgamated September 2004, on split site pending new build 
			  Limegrove/Glasvey Special Amalgamated September 2004, on split site pending new build—estimated completion 2006 
			 North-eastern   
			  Kilcoan/Mullaghdubh PSs (Islandmagee) September 2004—using existing sites pending new build. 
			 South-eastern   
			  Hollywood/Redburn PSs September 2004—Using existing sites pending new build. 
		
	
	
		Maintained schools
		
			 Board area Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 North-eastern   
			  Amalgamation of four schools: St Louis/St Joseph's/All Saints/St Mary's Ballymena PSs September 2004—using existing sites pending new build at St Louis and All Saints, estimated completion 2006 
			 Western   
			  Coranny/Cornagague PSs September 2004, amalgamation in new school at Aghadrumsee, estimated completion 2006 
		
	
	
		2004–05Maintained schools
		
			 Board area Identified for amalgamation Position 
			 Southern   
			  St Mar's Boys/Convent of Mercy PSs, Rostrevor Amalgamating September 2005,on split site pending new build—estimated completion date: September 2007

Police Service of Northern Ireland: Public Processions

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the criteria applied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland when considering whether to accept a notice of intention to organise a public procession.

Lord Rooker: The criteria applied are outlined in Section 6(4)(a) to (g), of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. The criteria are as follows.
	(a) The date and time when the procession is to be held.
	(b) Its route.
	(c) The number of persons likely to take part in it.
	(d) The names of any bands which are to take part in it.
	(e) The arrangements for its control being made by the person proposing to organise it.
	(f) The name and address of that person.
	(g) Where notice is given as mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (2), the reason why it was not reasonably practicable to give notice in accordance with paragraph (a) of that subsection.

Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider the payment of a gratuity to former part-time members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve.

Lord Rooker: The Government have considered this issue. I can confirm that there are no plans to pay such a gratuity.

Thailand: UN Convention on Refugees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made representations to the government of Thailand to ratify the United Nations Convention on Refugees and to allow full access to refugee camps on its territory; if not, whether they will now do so; and, if they have done so, with what result.

Lord Triesman: The Government, through the British Embassy in Bangkok and in concert with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, have a regular dialogue with the Royal Thai Government about the status and condition of refugees in Thailand.
	We have not received any reports that the Royal Thai Government prevent access to the camps either by diplomats or NGO workers. British Embassy officials participated in an EU visit to Tham Hin and Ban Don Yang refugee camps between 30 May and 1 June and a visit to Mae La Oon camp on 15 June.

Euro

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the euro can survive without a federal budget and control from a central government.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Budgetary policies remain the responsibility of individual member states. The frameworks for macroeconomic policy in the euro area are set out in the EMU study published in June 2003 by HM Treasury, Policy Frameworks in the UK and EMU.

UN Security Council: Accountability and Transparency

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House the "non paper" put forward in April by the government of Switzerland containing suggestions for improving the accountability and transparency of the proceedings of the United Nations Security Council.

Lord Triesman: The Government have placed in the Library of the House the latest version of the non-paper of the government of Switzerland entitled Working Methods of the Security Council.

World War Debts to US

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much the United Kingdom owes to the United States for both the First and Second World Wars; whether they have sought to have the debts cancelled; and whether this will be a topic to be discussed at the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: On First World War debt due to the United States Government, I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given to him on 17 July 2002 (WA 159), 30 July 2002 (WA 161) 25 October 2002 (WA 103–104), 11 July 2003 (WA 66) and 19 January 2004 (WA 111). On Second World War debt due to the United States Government, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to him on 27 May 2002 (WA 127), January 2003 (WA 73) 11 July 2003 (WA 66) and 19 January 2004 (WA 111).
	Under a 1945 agreement, the United States Government lent the United Kingdom a total of $4,336 million (around £1,075 million at 1945 exchange rates) in war loans. Repayment of the war loans to the United States Government should be completed on 31 December 2006, subject to the United Kingdom not choosing to exercise its option to defer repayment.
	Currently principal of $84 million is outstanding on the loans provided by the United States Government in 1945. The most recent repayments were made on 31 December 2004. There remain two more scheduled repayments of interest and principal sums of $142 million in December 2005 and $83 million in December 2006 that relate to previously deferred interest and principal payments.
	Successive governments have undertaken, as with all external debt, to meet their obligations under the terms of the Second World War loan agreement with the US. The Government intend to meet their obligations under the 1945 agreement by repaying the United States Government in full the amounts lent in 1945.
	A wide range of economic issues was discussed at the G8 Summit; the key areas of focus for the summit were Africa and climate change.

Zimbabwe: EU Joint Initiative

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider a new European Union joint initiative on Zimbabwe during the United Kingdom presidency which will go beyond the limited travel restrictions on Zimbabwean Government representatives.

Lord Triesman: We and our European Union partners remain strongly concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. On 8 June, the European Union issued a strong statement condemning the actions undertaken by the government of Zimbabwe. We will work in our capacity as the presidency of the European Union to ensure that the EU continues to respond appropriately to this grave situation. We continue to consider what further options are available to the UK Government and European partners.

Zimbabwe: Operation Marambatsvina

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the government of Zimbabwe's Operation Marambatsvina to destroy the homes of one million poor people will be on the agenda of the G8 meeting in Gleneagles in July; what the policy of "silent diplomacy" has so far achieved; and what international action they would support to achieve unrestricted access to Zimbabwe for the International Red Cross and United Nations relief agencies to assist those affected by the operation.

Lord Triesman: We are working actively with our international partners in the European Union, the G8, the United Nations and others to press Mugabe to bring an end to the appalling suffering he is inflicting on ordinary Zimbabweans.
	My right honourable friend the Prime Minister and his G8 partners issued the following statement from Gleneagles on 8 July:
	We discussed Zimbabwe, where we deplored recent events. The forced demolition of buildings there has left thousands of Zimbabweans without housing or livelihoods, and caused great human suffering. We call on the Zimbabwean authorities to end this campaign now, address immediately the situation they have created, and respect human rights and the rule of law.
	We welcome the visit of the UN Secretary-General's special envoy. We look forward to her report on the situation. We will continue to support the UN and other international organisations in their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Zimbabwe.